Disconnecting device for valve-rods



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet;` 1.

T. C. DILL. DISGONNEGTING DEVICE EOE VALVE RODS.

No. 385,549. Patented July s, 1888.4

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

T. C. DILL. DISGONNEGTING DEVICE EUR VALVE EODS. No. 385,549 Patented July 3, 1888.

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limits SfraTns THMAS CLARK DILL, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

DISCONNECTING DEVICE FOR VALVEHRODS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 385,549, dated July 3, 1888. nppncaaminmen Marcil s, resa. serial No. 266,019. (No maar.)

T 0 LZZ whom t may concern.;

` Be it known that l, THoMAs CLARK DILL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Disconneeting Devices for Valve-Rods ofStean1-Engines, of which the following is a specification.

rlhe object of my invention is to attach the eccentrierod of a steam-engine to, or detach 1t from, the valve-operating mechanism.

In the drawings I have illustrated my device in connection with an engine of the Corllss type; but itwill beunderstood that itmay be applied to engines of other constructions without departing from my invention.

In the accompanyingdrawings, Figure 1 isa sideview of sulicient of an engine to illustrate the application of my device. Fig. 2 is au enlarged side view. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan View on the line l 2, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line 3 4, Fig. 2, showing the eccentric-rod locked to the device. Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the eccentricrod released from the control of the device, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a detail of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, A is the eccentric-rod adapted at one end to the usual eccentric. This rod A passes through a sleeve, B, which has at its rear a stud, b, swiveled in an extension of the valve-operating disk D,which is pivoted at d to any portion of the engineframe and has radiating from it the valveoperating rods d in the manner common to Corn liss engines.

F is an extension of the sleeve B, and to this extension at c c are pivoted two keys, G C, which are adapted to tit snugly in ways in the sleeve B, and also in slots a a in each side of the connecting-rod, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. These keys are held in place against the eccentrierod A. by means of springs G Gr, at taehed at g to the sleeve and passing around pins c on the keys G (l, so that the tendency of the keys is always to assume the position shown in Fig. 4.

Having its bearings on the extension F of the sleeve B is ashort shaft, E, provided with a cam, H, at one end, which is adapted to fit between the keys C C, s shown in Fig. 4. To

the outer cud of this shaft E is secured a suitable hand-lever, I, for the purpose of operating said cam H. This cam is of the peculiar form shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the widest por tion being through the line .t x, so that when the handle is turned to the position shown in Fig. 5 this wide portion of the cam will force the keys C C apart and out of the slots c a in the side of the eccentric-rod, and consequently will release thesleeve B from the control of the eccentric and stop the engine instantly and allow the rod to reciprocate freely in the sleeve without imparting any movement thereto; but when the handle is turned to the position shown in Fig. 4 the springs will draw thekeys C C together, and as soon as the slots in the eccentric-rod A come in line with the keys said keys will` be forced into the slots a c, locking the eccentric-rod to the sleeve B, thus giving motion to the valve-operating mechanism and starting the engine.

I prefer to construct the rod in sections, as shown in Fig. 3-that is, I provi-de the main portion of the rod A with a reduced portion, A', screw-threaded, as shown, and adapted to an internal serewthread in a portion, A2, of the rod, and I prefer to clamp between these two portions three sleeves, cctZ a2. The sleeve a is cnt away, as shown, to form the slots a a. By this construction the wear consequent upon the releasing and clutching of the keys C C can be taken up, although it will be understood that a plain rod, H, with slots may be used without departing Afrom my invention.

It will be understood that in piace of the two keys shown one key may be used; but I prefer, especially in' constructing engines of large size, to use the two keys, as illustrated.

I claim as my inventionl. The slotted eccentricsrod with a sleeve, B, and akey or keys adapted tolock the sleeve to the rod, aud operating devices therefor, all substantially as set forth.

2. The combination ol' the slotted cccentricrod, the sleeve B, secured tothe valve-operat ing devices of a steam engine, the pivoted keys C C, and a handled cam for operating upon these keys to force them out of the' grooves in the eccentric-rod, all substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of the eccentric-rod, screw-threaded portion, A2, With n sleeve, a', the slots therein, the sleeve B7eonnected to the grooved to receive the keys of the locking devalVe-operating mechanism7 the pivoted keys Vice, substantially its set forth.

C C, the handled eccentric H for forcing the In testimony WhereofI have signed my name 5 keys apart, and :t spring, G, tending to force to this specification in the presence of two subi5 the keys against the eccentric-rod, substanscribing Witnesses.

tially as set forth. THOMAS CLARK BILL.

4. The combination of the two-part eccen- Vitnesses: trie rod, the portion A, having a. serew- HENRY HoWsoN, Io threaded reduced portion7 A', andan external HARRY SMITH. 

